A sedge with a rhizomatous (running) habit. Grows to about 40 cm high. Leaves are fine, greyish and gracefully curled at the ends. Generally quite sparse. Flowering stems are produced in September. Dark, narrow spikelets of male flowers are produced on the ends of the inflorescences while chubby female spikelets occur lower on the stems.

A submerged aquatic plant with long, branching stems rooted to the base of the waterway. Starchy roots that form over-wintering structures are present on this species, giving it the alternative name of Sago Pondweed. Thin membranous leaves are produced alternately along the stems. These leaves are very slender, distinguishing the plant from plants in the similar Potamogeton genus in which this species was previously included (under the name Potamogeton pectinatus).

A submerged aquatic plant with long, branching stems rooted to the base of the waterway. Thin membarous leaves are produced alternately along the stems. The edges of these leaves are not wavy as in the otherwise similar Potamogeton crispus. Flowering stems emerge several centimeters above the surface of the water in early summer.

Formerly included in the more widely defined species Potamogeton tricarinatus under which name it is still widely known.